Transactional Evaluation of the Influence of Diet Consistency on Transverse Maxillary Deficiency, Plaque Index and Dental Caries in Pediatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Case-control observational study
PubMed 40290008 · doi:10.3390/nu17060982
What was done
A cross-sectional case-control study assessed 106 pediatric patients (aged 4–12 years) divided into 53 cases with maxillary hypoplasia/malocclusions and 53 controls with normal maxillary development. Patients with congenital craniofacial malformations were excluded. Diet consistency was evaluated using a questionnaire categorizing intake into semi-liquid, creamy, soft, and solid. Clinical outcomes recorded were the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, Plaque Index (PI), and palate morphology.
What was found
Soft food consumption was significantly higher in the crossbite group compared to controls (p = 0.032). A high-arched palate was more prevalent in the crossbite group (p = 0.042), whereas natural breastfeeding was significantly more frequent in the non-crossbite group. Caries prevalence (DMFT > 0) was significantly associated with posterior crossbite (p = 0.04). Plaque index was significantly correlated with soft and semi-solid food consumption (χ² = 3.55, p = 0.04), with no association found for solid or hard foods.
Why it matters
This study adds clinical observational evidence linking soft dietary textures to both transverse maxillary deficiency and increased plaque accumulation in pediatric populations.
Limits
The cross-sectional design cannot establish causality. Dietary assessment relied on questionnaire categorization without caloric or nutrient quantification, the sample size was modest (106 participants), and potential confounders like specific oral hygiene practices or sugar content were not controlled for in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports The dietary transition to soft, packet-based foods and baby foods has altered craniofacial development, leading to widespread orthodontic issues and smaller jaws.